Presenting an electronic message

ABSTRACT

Presenting an electronic message includes receiving an electronic message, the electronic message includes a message originator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps wherein each of the number of digital stamps is associated with a social network, validating each digital stamp by contacting the social network associated with that digital stamp, when a digital stamp is validated, identifying a social relationship between the message recipient and the message originator using the social network corresponding to that digital stamp, and displaying, with the electronic message, an indication of the social relationship.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to presenting an electronic message, andmore specifically, to presenting the electronic message using a digitalstamp.

A social network is a network based application to enable a user tocreate a user account. Once the user account is created, the userestablishes connections with other users, such as friends, family, andcolleagues, in an online environment. Further, once the user isconnected with other users, the user may share information with each ofthe other users on the social network in the form of electronic messagesby uploading pictures, updating personal information, updating statusinformation, commenting on other users' information, sending privatemessages, sending instant messages (IM), among other activities.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for presenting an electronic message includes receiving anelectronic message, the electronic message includes a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps whereineach of the number of digital stamps is associated with a socialnetwork, validating each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with that digital stamp, when a digital stamp is validated,identifying a social relationship between the message recipient and themessage originator using the social network corresponding to thatdigital stamp, and displaying, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship.

A system for presenting an electronic message includes a processor,memory communicatively connected to the processor, and a presentingsystem including a receiving engine to receive an electronic message,the electronic message includes a message originator, a messagerecipient, and a number of digital stamps wherein each of the number ofdigital stamps is associated with a social network, a validating engineto validate each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with each digital stamp, a retrieving engine to retrieve fromthe social network, based on a digital stamp, additional data associatedwith the electronic message, an identifying engine to identify, when thedigital stamp is validated, a social relationship between the messagerecipient and the message originator using the social networkcorresponding to that digital stamp, and a displaying engine to display,with the electronic message, an indication of the social relationship.

A computer program product for presenting an electronic message, thecomputer program product includes a machine-readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a processor to cause the processor to receive anelectronic message, the electronic message includes a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps whereineach of the number of digital stamps is associated with a socialnetwork, validate each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with each digital stamp, retrieve from a social network,based on a digital stamp, additional data associated with the electronicmessage, identify, when the digital stamp is validated, a socialrelationship between the message recipient and the message originatorusing the social network corresponding to that digital stamp, anddisplay, with the electronic message, an indication of the socialrelationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principlesdescribed herein and are a part of the specification. The examples donot limit the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system for presenting electronic messages usinga social network, according to one example of the principles describedherein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for presenting electronic messages to arecipient, according to one example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a presenting system for presentingelectronic messages using a digital stamp, according to the principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a method for presenting anelectronic message, according to one example of principles describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method for presenting anelectronic message, according to one example of principles describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a method for sending andreceiving an electronic message with a digital stamp, according to oneexample of the principles described herein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a presenting system, according to one example ofthe principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification describes a method and system for presentingan electronic message to a recipient, such that the method or systemdisplays, with the electronic message, the message recipient's socialrelationship to the message originator.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media), having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device, such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including anobject-oriented programming language such as Java, JavaScript, Python,Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatuses(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus, to produce a machine suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture, including instructions which implement aspectsof the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blocks or blockdiagram.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

As noted above, users may share information with each other on thesocial network in the form of electronic messages. Electronic messagesprovide a fast, low-cost way for users to communicate. As a result,users of the social network send and receive several electronic messageseach day.

Often, commercial vendors associated with the social network areattracted to the use of the electronic messaging due to the low-cost. Asa result, the users receive a number of unsolicited electronic messagesfrom the commercial vendors. Further, users may receive unsolicitedelectronic messages from an imposter who has taken over a user accountof the social network and are posing as a social connection of a user.An imposter may solicit information or request money from other users inan electronic message. As a result, a messaging system may attempt tofilter these unsolicited electronic messages into a separate messagefolder for unsolicited electronic messages. To view these unsolicitedelectronic messages, the users periodically check the separate messagefolder to verify that electronic messages from known users are notfiltered to the separate message folder. This may result in the usersnot viewing an important electronic message from other users because theimportant electronic messages were filtered into the separate messagefolder.

The principles described herein include a system and a method forpresenting electronic messages. Such a system and method includereceiving an electronic message, the electronic message including amessage originator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stampswherein each of the number of digital stamps is associated with a socialnetwork, validating each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with that digital stamp, when a digital stamp is validated,identifying a social relationship between the message recipient and themessage originator using the social network corresponding to thatdigital stamp, and displaying, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship. Such a system and method allowthe social connection to be displayed with the electronic message toprovide the message recipient with information as to the socialrelationship between the message recipient and the message originator.

In the present specification and appended claims, the term “electronicmessage” means digital communication between a number of users on asocial network. Electronic messages may include electronic mail (email),text messages, instant messages (IM), and digitally recorded voicemessages.

In the present specification and appended claims, the term “messageclient” means a system utilized for a process of sending and receivingelectronic messages. A message client allows a user to prepare and sendan electronic message. A message client allows a user to receive andview an electronic message.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“digital stamp” means data provided by a social network to validate anelectronic message. A digital stamp may include a digital signature, ahash value, an identification value based on a message originator andthe contents of the electronic message, or similar data.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“social network” means a network based application to enable a user tocreate a user account, establish social connections, and shareinformation in the form of electronic messages. A social network ishosted on a number of social network servers.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“social connection” means a relationship between two users of a socialnetwork. The social connection may be established when one user sends afriend request to another user and the other user accepts the friendrequest.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“social relationship” means a series of social connections that connectsa message originator and a message recipient. A social relationship mayindicate that there is a social connection between a message originatorand a message recipient. A social relationship may indicate that thereis no social connection between the message originator and the messagerecipient.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“imposter” means a user that has set up a user account on a socialnetwork to impersonate another user on the social network. An impostermay post pictures and information on the user account to make the useraccount appear authentic.

In the present specification and in the appended claims, the term“authentication measures” means a series of methods used to authenticatean electronic message or a user associated with a user account. Anauthentication measure may indicate that a user account or electronicmessage has been validated by a trusted source.

In the present specification and appended claims, the term “indication”means a mechanism displayed with an electronic message to alert amessage recipient as to a social relationship the message recipient haswith a message originator. The indication may be displayed via a displayfor a message interaction.

In the present specification and appended claims, the term “messageoriginator” means a user that created an electronic message. A messagesender is a user that causes an electronic message to be conveyed, via anetwork, to another user such as a message recipient.

In the present specification and appended claims, the term “messagerecipient” means a user that receives an electronic message. A messagerecipient may be specified by a user identifier or an alias that sendsthe electronic message to a number of users.

As used in the present specification and in the appended claims, theterm “a number of” or similar language includes any positive number,including one to infinity; zero not being a number, but the absence of anumber.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art, that the present apparatus, systems,and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Referencein the specification to “an example” or similar language means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith that example is included as described, but may not be included inother examples.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system forpresenting electronic messages using a social network, according to oneexample of the principles described herein. As will be described, asocial network includes a number of users that are socially connected toeach other. Further, once a user is connected with other users, the usermay share information with each of the other users on the social networkin the form of electronic messages by uploading pictures, updatingpersonal information, updating status information, commenting on otherusers' information, sending private messages, sending IM, among otheractivities.

As illustrated, the system (100) includes a social network (111). Thesocial network (111) may be implemented on a social network server. Thesocial network (111) is a network based application to enable a user tocreate a user account. Once the user account is created, the userestablishes connections with other users, such as friends, family, andcolleagues, in an online environment. Further, once the user isconnected with other users, the user may share information with each ofthe other users on the social network (111) in the form of electronicmessages by uploading pictures, updating personal information, updatingstatus information, commenting on other users' information, sendingprivate messages, sending IM, among other activities. Further, thesocial network (111) manages social relationships between all users(101, 102, 103, 104).

As illustrated, the social network (111) includes a presenting system(110). As will be described in other parts of this specification, thepresenting system (110) receives an electronic message. The electronicmessage includes a message originator, a message recipient (101), and anumber of digital stamps wherein each of the number of digital stamps isassociated with a social network. The presenting system (110) validateseach digital stamp by contacting the social network associated with thatdigital stamp, when a digital stamp is validated. Further, thepresenting system (110) includes an identifying engine (314-4) toidentify a social relationship between the message recipient (101) andthe message originator using the social network corresponding to thatdigital stamp. The presenting system (110) further displays, with theelectronic message, an indication of the social relationship.

As illustrated, the social network (111) includes a number of users(101, 102, 103, and 104) that are socially connected to each other. Thenumber of users (101, 102, 103, and 104) may include a message recipient(101), user A (102-1), user B (102-2), user C (102-3), user D (103-1),user E (103-2), user F (103-3), user G (103-4), user H (103-5), and anunconnected user (104). Further, each of the users (101, 102, 103, and104) represents a user account that has been created for a specific useror a specific group of users for the social network (111).

Further, the users (102, 103, and 104) may be socially connected to eachother and to the message recipient (101). The message recipient (101)may establish social connections as first degree social relationships,as indicated by the dotted arrows (106), with user A (102-1), user B(102-2), and user C (102-3). The first degree social relationshipsindicate that users are directly socially connected to each other. As aresult, the message recipient (101) has a number of first degree socialrelationships with user A (102-1), user B (102-2), and user C (102-3).

Further, user A (102-1), user B (102-2), and user C (102-3) may besocially connected to user D (103-1), user E (103-2), user F (103-3),user G (103-4), and user H (103-5) as indicated by the solid arrows.User A (102-1), user B (102-2), and user C (102-3), may have a firstdegree social relationship with user D (103-1), user E (103-2), user F(103-3), user G (103-4), user H (103-5). As a result, user D (103-1),user E (103-2), user F (103-3), user G (103-4), and user H (103-5) havesecond degree social relationships with the message recipient (101).

Further, some users may not be socially connected to the messagerecipient (101). As illustrated, the unconnected user (104) is notsocially connected to the message recipient (101). As a result, a socialrelationship between the unconnected user (104) and the messagerecipient (101) does not exist.

The message recipient (101) may receive a number of electronic messages,as indicated by the dashed arrows (105) from the number of users (102,103, and 104). As will be described below, users who send electronicmessages to the message recipient (101) are described as messageoriginators.

In one example, an electronic message from a first degree socialrelationship is more likely to be more important to the messagerecipient (101) than an electronic message from a second degree socialrelationship. Further, an electronic message from a second degree socialrelationship is more important to the message recipient (101) than anelectronic message from an unconnected user (104).

In one example, the unconnected user (104) communicates with the messagerecipient (101) as indicated by dashed arrow 105-1. The communicationmay be in the form of an electronic message such as an email message, anIM, a text message, a voice mail message, or a similar electronicmessage format. As will be described below, the presenting system (110)determines a social relationship between the message recipient (101) andthe unconnected user (104). The social connection indicates that thereis not a social relationship between the message recipient (101) and theunconnected user (104). The presenting system (110) displays, via adisplay of a user device, the electronic message and an indication of alack of social connection between the message recipient (101) and theunconnected user (104).

In another example, a first degree social connection such as user A(102-1) sends the message recipient (101) an electronic message. Thepresenting system (110) indicates that the electronic message is beingreceived from user A (102-1), a first degree social connection. Thesocial relationship informs the message recipient (101) of theassociation with the first degree social connection user (102-1) via anindication that is displayed to the message recipient (101).

In yet another example, a second degree social connection such as user D(103-1) sends the message recipient (101) an electronic message. Thepresenting system (110) indicates that the electronic message is beingreceived from user D (103-1), a second degree social connection. Thesocial relationship informs the message recipient (101) that theelectronic message from user D (103-1) is more likely to be importantthan an electronic message from the unconnected user (104). The socialrelationship informs the message recipient (101) that the electronicmessage from user D (103-1) is less likely to be important than anelectronic message from a first degree social connection such as user A(102-1).

Information relating to the social relationship between a messagerecipient (101) and a message originator assists the message recipient(101) in recognizing the value of the message. The presenting system(110) may filter electronic messages based on social relationships. Inaddition to prioritizing electronic messages for a message recipient(101), the presenting system (110) may prevent the unconnected user(104) from impersonating a social relationship. The unconnected user(104) impersonating a user is an imposter. The imposter may beattempting to gain trust from the message recipient (101) to persuadethe message recipient (101) into disclosing confidential information. Byfiltering the electronic messages from users based on socialrelationships, the presenting system (110) may prevent imposters fromgaining access to confidential information.

While this example has been described with reference to the presentingsystem (110) being located on the social network (111), the presentingsystem (110) may be located on a separate computing device. For example,the presenting system (110) may be located on a server. The presentingsystem (110) may communicate with the social network (111) to obtaininformation relating to the social relationship of the users (101, 102,103, 104). The presenting system (110) may communicate with the users(101, 102, 103, 104) to present the electronic messages with the socialrelationship. The presenting system (110) may be integrated into a useror client device, a server, a message system, other locations, orcombinations thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for presenting messages to a recipient,according to one example of the principles described herein. As will bedescribed below, a presenting system is in communication with a socialnetwork. The presenting system may communicate with a number ofdifferent social networks. The presenting system may be a computingsystem that performs a number of functions as described above. Thepresenting system communicates with a user device. The user devicedisplays, via a display a number of message interactions for a user.

As illustrated, the system (200) includes a presenting system (210). Inone example, the presenting system (210) includes a processor (223),memory (224), and computer program code (222). The memory and thecomputer program code (222) are communicatively coupled to the processor(223). The memory (224) may be used to store data used by the computerprogram code (222). The computer program code (222) includes a number ofengines (214). The engines (214) refer to program instructions forperforming a designated function. The computer program code (222) causesthe processor (223) to execute the designated function of the engines(214). In other examples, the engines (214) refer to a combination ofhardware and program instructions to perform a designated function. Eachof the engines (214) may include a processor and memory. The programinstructions are stored in the memory and cause the processor to executethe designated function of the engine. As illustrated, the presentingsystem (210) includes a receiving engine (214-1), a validating engine(214-2), a retrieving engine (214-3), an identifying engine (214-4), anda displaying engine (214-5).

The receiving engine (214-1) receives an electronic message (208), theelectronic message (208) includes a message originator (204), a messagerecipient, and a number of digital stamps wherein each of the number ofdigital stamps is associated with a social network. The electronicmessage (208) received may be a portion of the electronic message (208)destined for the message recipient. The electronic message received mayindicate that the actual electronic message remains on the socialnetwork (211). The digital stamp may include a number of pieces of dataused to authenticate an electronic message. A digital stamp may includea digital signature, a hash, an identification based on the combinationof the message originator and the electronic message, or a combinationthereof. The digital stamp may include protections to limit the numberof times the digital stamp may be referenced. The digital stamp mayinclude other information to validate the contents of the electronicmessage. A digital stamp may include data indicating a sum of thecorrect digits in the electronic message. When the sum does not matchthe contents of the electronic message the electronic message is deemedto be an imposter electronic message. The digital stamp may include anidentification of the application that was used to produce theelectronic message. The identification of the application providesincreased confidence that the electronic message is legitimate. Further,the digital stamp may include a digital signature. The digital signatureis used to decrypt a portion of the electronic message. The digitalsignature may prevent unauthorized access to the electronic message.Further, the digital stamp includes a hash value. The hash value is usedto confirm that the electronic message is one of a number of messagesthat share the hash value. Further, the digital stamp is a value that iscalculated based on a combination of attributes of the electronicmessage. The digital stamp is compared to a value calculated based onthe same combination of attributes in the received electronic message.When the value received and the value calculated match, the electronicmessage is validated. An electronic message may include a number ofdigital stamps.

The validating engine (214-2) validates each digital stamp by contactingthe social network (211) associated with that digital stamp. Thevalidating engine contacts a trusted computing device associated withthe social network (211). The validating engine (214-2) confirms thatthe digital stamp is valid. The digital stamp may be used to validatethe identity of the message originator (204). A portion of the digitalstamp may be used to validate the message originator (204). The messageoriginator (204) identified by the digital stamp and the messageoriginator identified by the electronic message (208) are to match orthe electronic message is considered a fraud. The digital stamp may beused to validate the content of the electronic message (208). Forexample, a portion of the digital stamp may be a value that can becalculated based on the content of the electronic message. The value ofthe portion of the digital stamp is compared to a value calculated basedon the content of the electronic message. When the two values match, theelectronic message is considered to be authentic.

The digital stamp may be limited as to the number of times the digitalstamp may be referenced. The digital stamp may only allow a singlereference before the digital stamp is considered invalid. Restrictingthe number of times a digital stamp may be accessed reduces the chancethat a digital stamp may be reused for nefarious purposes. Thevalidating engine (214-2) may use a number of digital stamps to performa number of different authentication measures to validate the electronicmessage.

The retrieving engine (214-3) may retrieve, based on the digital stamp,additional data associated with the electronic message. The electronicmessage received includes a digital stamp with a portion of theelectronic message. The remainder of the electronic message is stored inthe social network (211). The digital stamp is validated with the socialnetwork (211). The retrieving engine (214-3) then retrieves theremainder of the electronic message.

The identifying engine (214-4) identifies, when the digital stamp isvalidated, a social relationship between the message recipient and themessage originator using the social network indicated by that digitalstamp. As in figure one, the identifying engine (214-4) may identify adirect social connection between a message recipient and a messageoriginator. The identifying engine (214-4) may identify that there is arelationship between the message recipient and the message originator.The identifying engine (214-4) may identify a number of users thatconnect the message recipient and the message originator through socialconnections. The number of users that connect the message recipient andthe message originator with social connections may be described as thenumber of degrees of separation. The identifying engine (214-4) mayidentify that there is no social connection between the messagerecipient and the message originator. The social relationship may bewithin a single social network. When a social relationship is within asingle social network, all the users that create the social connectionsbelong to the single social network.

The displaying engine (214-5) displays, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship. In a first example, thedisplaying engine (214-5) displays that the message recipient and themessage originator have a direct social connection between the users. Ina second example, the displaying engine (214-5) displays a number ofusers that form a social connection between the message recipient andthe message originator. In a third example, the displaying engine(214-5) displays that there is no social connection between the messageoriginator and the message recipient. In a fourth example, thedisplaying engine (214-5) indicates a common interest between themessage recipient and the message originator. The displaying engine(214-5) may filter the presentation of a message based on the socialrelationship. An electronic message may not be displayed when the socialrelationship exceeds a threshold, exceeding the threshold indicatingthat the social relationship is too distant for the message to bedisplayed.

As illustrated, the presenting system (210) presents three differentformats of message interactions (209) for the electronic messages (208).The formats of the message interactions (209) include messageinteraction A (209-1), message interaction B (209-2), and messageinteraction C (209-3). Further, additional formats may be presented bythe presenting system (210). The displaying engine (214-5) of thepresenting system (210) displays the electronic messages (208) to amessage recipient as part of the message interactions (209) in a display(221). The message interactions (209) may include additional informationrelated to the electronic messages (208).

Message interaction A (209-1) illustrates the presentation of electronicmessage A (208-1). Electronic message A (208-1) is received by thepresenting system (210) for a message recipient. Further, messageoriginator A (204-1) is presented as the originator of electronicmessage A (208-1). A number of social network signatures (205) arepresented as part of message interaction A (209-1). As illustrated, thepresenting system (210) presents social network signature A (205-1),social network signature B (205-2) and social network signature C(205-3). The social network signatures (205) shows that each of thedigital stamps has been authenticated with the social network (111). Thesocial network signatures (205) may indicate the social networkassociated with the social network signatures (205). Social networksignature A (205-1) may indicate the digital stamp has beenauthenticated with social network A. A social network signature mayindicate characters or tokens provided by the social network. Socialnetwork signature B (205-2) may indicate that the digital stampassociated with social network B has been authenticated. Social networksignature C (205-3) may indicate the digital stamp has beenauthenticated with social network C. The social network signature (205)may be presented in a format that can be understood by the messagerecipient. A number of social network signatures (205) for a number ofsocial networks may be presented. The presenting system (210) may bedesigned to display the social network signatures (205). The presentingsystem (110) may display the social network signatures (205) forunconnected users.

Message interaction B (209-2) illustrates the presentation of electronicmessage B (208-2). Electronic message B (208-2) is received by thepresenting system (210) for a message recipient. Electronic message B(208-2) is presented, via the display engine (214-5), as part of messageinteraction B (209-2). Message originator B (204-2) is presented as theoriginator of electronic message B (208-2). A social relationship (206)is presented to illustrate the relationship between message originator B(204-2) and the message recipient. If message originator B (204-2) is afirst degree social connection, the social relationship (206) indicatesthat there is a social connection between the message recipient andmessage originator B (204-2). If message originator B (204-2) is asecond degree social connection, the social relationship (206) indicatesthere is a second degree social connection that connects the messagerecipient and message originator B (204-2). Additional socialconnections may be displayed as part of the social relationship (206).If message originator B (204-2) is an unconnected user the socialrelationship (206) indicates that there is not a social connectionbetween the message recipient and message originator B (204-2).

Message interaction C (209-3) illustrates the presentation of electronicmessage C (208-3). Electronic message C (208-3) is received by thepresenting system (210) for a message recipient and is presented as partof message interaction C (209-3). Message originator C (204-3) ispresented as the originator of electronic message C (208-3). Arelationship count (207) is presented to illustrate a socialrelationship with message originator C (204-3). The relationship count(207) indicates a number of social connections between messageoriginator C (204-3) and the message recipient (FIG. 1, 101). If messageoriginator C (204-2) is a first degree social connection, therelationship count (207) indicates that there is one social connectionbetween the message recipient and message originator C (204-3). Ifmessage originator C (204-3) is a second degree social connection, therelationship count (207) indicates there are two social connectionsbetween message recipient and message originator C (204-2). If messageoriginator C (204-3) is an unconnected user, the relationship count(207) indicates that there is not a social connection between themessage recipient and message originator C (204-2). Further, otherrelationship counts of additional social connections may be displayed aspart of message interaction C (209-3).

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a presenting system for presentingelectronic messages using a digital stamp, according to one example ofthe principles described herein. The presenting system (300) forpresenting electronic messages using a digital stamp may be implementedin an electronic device. Examples of electronic devices include servers,desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),mobile devices, smartphones, gaming systems, and tablets, among otherelectronic devices.

The presenting system (300) may be utilized in any data-processingscenario, including stand-alone hardware, mobile applications, acomputing network, or combinations thereof. Further, the presentingsystem (300) may be used in a computing network, a public cloud network,a private cloud network, a hybrid cloud network, other forms ofnetworks, or combinations thereof. In one example, the methods providedby the presenting system (300) are provided as a service over a networkby, for example, a third party. In this example, the service maycomprise, for example, the following: a Software as a Service (SaaS)hosting a number of applications; a Platform as a Service (PaaS) hostinga computing platform comprising, for example, operating systems,hardware, and storage, among others; an Infrastructure as a Service(IaaS) hosting equipment such as, for example, servers, storagecomponents, networks, and components, among others; application programinterface (API) as a service (APIaaS), other forms of network services,or combinations thereof. The present systems may be implemented on oneor multiple hardware platforms, in which the engines in the system canbe executed on one or across multiple platforms. Such engines can run onvarious forms of cloud technologies and hybrid cloud technologies oroffered as a SaaS (Software as a service) that can be implemented on oroff the cloud. In another example, the methods provided by thepresenting system (300) are executed by a local administrator.

To achieve its desired functionality, the presenting system (300) mayinclude various hardware components. Among these hardware components maybe a number of processors (301), a number of data storage devices (302),a number of peripheral device adapters (304), and a number of networkadapters (303). These hardware components may be interconnected throughthe use of a number of buses and/or network connections. In one example,the processor (301), data storage device (302), peripheral deviceadapters (304), and a network adapter (303) may be communicativelycoupled via a bus (305).

The data storage device (302) may store data, such as executable programcode, that is executed by the processor (301) or other processingdevice. As will be discussed, the data storage device (302) mayspecifically store computer code representing a number of applicationsthat the processor (301) executes to implement at least thefunctionality described herein.

The data storage device (302) may include various types of memorymodules, including volatile and nonvolatile memory. For example, thedata storage device (302) of the present example includes Random AccessMemory (RAM) (306), Read Only Memory (ROM) (307), and Hard Disk Drive(HDD) memory (308). Many other types of memory may also be utilized, andthe present specification contemplates the use of as many varyingtype(s) of memory in the data storage device (302) as may suit aparticular application of the principles described herein. In certainexamples, different types of memory in the data storage device (302) maybe used for different data storage needs. For example, in certainexamples, the processor (301) may boot from Read Only Memory (ROM)(307), maintain nonvolatile storage in the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) memory(308), and execute program code stored in Random Access Memory (RAM)(306).

Generally, the data storage device (302) may include a computer readablemedium, a computer readable storage medium, or a non-transitory computerreadable medium, among others. For example, the data storage device(302) may be, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples of the computer readable storage medium may include, forexample, the following: an electrical connection having a number ofwires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain or store computer usable program code for use by, or inconnection with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.In another example, a computer readable storage medium may be anynon-transitory medium that can contain or store a program for use by, orin connection with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

The hardware adapters (303, 304) in the presenting system (300) enablethe processor (301) to interface with various other hardware elements,external and internal to the presenting system (300). For example, theperipheral device adapters (304) may provide an interface toinput/output devices, such as, for example, a display device (309), amouse, or a keyboard. The peripheral device adapters (303) may alsoprovide access to other external devices, such as an external storagedevice, a number of network devices such as, for example, servers,switches, and routers, client devices, other types of computing devices,and combinations thereof.

The display device (309) may be provided to allow a user of thepresenting system (300) to interact with and implement the functionalityof the presenting system (300). The peripheral device adapters (304) mayalso create an interface between the processor (301) and the displaydevice (309), a printer, or other media output devices. The networkadapter (303) may provide an interface to other computing deviceswithin, for example, a network, thereby enabling the transmission ofdata between the presenting system (300) and other devices locatedwithin the network.

The presenting system (300) may, when executed by the processor (301),display the number of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on the displaydevice (309) associated with the executable program code, representingthe number of applications stored on the data storage device (302). TheGUIs may include aspects of the executable code, including displayingmessages to a user using a digital stamp. The GUIs may display, forexample, a message with the social connection of the message recipientand the message originator. Additionally, a user may detect an imposterwhen a user appears to be a social connection but lacks a socialrelationship with the message recipient. Examples of display devices(309) include a computer screen, a laptop screen, a mobile devicescreen, a personal digital assistant (PDA) screen, and a tablet screen,among other display devices (309). Examples of the GUIs displayed on thedisplay device (309) will be described in more detail below.

The presenting system (300) may include a number of engines used in theimplementation of the electronic message presenting system. The variousengines within the presenting system (300) include executable programcode that may be executed separately. In this example, the variousengines may be stored as separate computer program products. In anotherexample, the various engines within the presenting system (300) may becombined within a number of computer program products; each computerprogram product includes a number of the engines.

Aspects of the present system and method are described herein withreference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods,apparatus (systems) and computer program products, according to examplesof the principles described herein. Each block of the flowchartillustrations and block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and block diagrams, may be implemented bycomputer usable program code. The computer usable program code may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the computer usable program code, when executed via,for example, the processor (301) of the presenting system (300) or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus, implements the functions or actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. In oneexample, the computer usable program code may be embodied within acomputer readable storage medium; the computer readable storage mediumbeing part of the computer program product. In one example, the computerreadable storage medium is a non-transitory computer readable medium.

The presenting system (300) includes a receiving engine (314-1) toreceive an electronic message. The presenting system (300) includes avalidating engine (314-2) to validate each digital stamp by contactingthe social network associated with each digital stamp. The presentingsystem (300) may include a retrieving engine (314-3) to retrieve, from asocial network, additional data associated with the electronic message.The presenting system (300) includes an identifying engine (314-4) toidentify a social relationship between the message recipient and themessage originator, using the social network corresponding to thatdigital stamp. The presenting system (300) includes a displaying engine(314-5) to display, with the electronic message, an indication of thesocial relationship.

The receiving engine (314-1) receives an electronic message. Theelectronic message includes a message recipient, a message originator,and a number of digital stamps. Each of the number of digital stamps isassociated with a social network. A digital stamp is used to validatethe identity of the message originator or to validate the content of anelectronic message. The digital stamp may include a time indicator. Thetime indicator indicates an amount of time the digital stamp is valid.Limiting the amount of time a digital stamp is valid reduces theprobability that the digital stamp may be misused. The digital stamp mayindicate an application that produced the electronic message. Thedigital stamp may include a digital signature, hash, identifier, orcombination thereof. The identifier may be based on a combination of themessage originator and the content of the electronic message.

The validating engine (314-2) validates each digital stamp by contactingthe social network associated with each digital stamp. The presentingsystem (300) may store a number of identifiers for a number of socialnetworks that support digital stamps. The validating engine (314-2)communicates with a social network that supports the digital stamps toverify the digital stamp. The verification of the digital stamp verifiesthat the message has been processed by the social network. Theverification of the digital stamp may confirm the identity of themessage originator. The verification of the digital stamp may includeverifying the contents of the electronic message.

The retrieving engine (314-3) retrieves, from the social network, basedon a digital stamp, additional data associated with the electronicmessage. The digital stamp is associated with a social network.Additional data associated with the electronic message is stored on thesocial network. The retrieving engine (314-3) retrieves the additionaldata from the social network. The additional data is displayed as partof the electronic message.

The identifying engine (314-4) identifies a social relationship betweenthe message recipient and the message originator. The identifying engine(314-4) identifies the social relationship when the digital stamp isverified. The identifying engine (314-4) may identify a socialrelationship within a single social network. An example of a socialrelationship within a single social network includes when all users in achain of the social relationship are members of a social network. Theidentifying engine (314-4) may identify a social relationship that spansa number of social networks. An example of a social relationship thatspans social networks includes when a message recipient has a socialrelationship with a user that is a first degree social connection in afirst social network. The first degree social connection has a socialrelationship with a second degree social connection in a second socialnetwork. The social connection between the message recipient and thesecond degree social connection spans two social networks. As a result,the identifying engine (314-4) may identify the closest relationshipbetween the message recipient and the message originator. The socialrelationship may consider social connections such as interpersonalrelationships, common interests, common employment, and commonattributes. An interpersonal relationship shows a friendship, businessrelationship, or other connection between two users. A common interestmay be a social relationship. A number of users that share an interestin a topic. The common interest indicates a reason the users willcommunicate. A common employment may be a social relationship. Usersthat work at the same company are considered social connections. Acommon employer indicates a reason the users will communicate. A commonattribute may be considered a social connection. For example, users thatspeak a common language may be considered to have a social connection. Asocial relationship may be identified within a single social network ormay span a number of social networks. A social relationship that spans anumber of social networks includes connections between users thatinclude different connections in different social networks.

The displaying engine (314-5) displays an indication of the socialrelationship with the electronic message. The indication of the socialrelationship may include displaying a number of social connectionsconnecting the message recipient and the message originator. Theindication of the social relationship may include displaying a summaryof the social relationship. For example, the summary may includedisplaying a number of users between the message recipient and themessage originator. The displaying engine (314-5) may filter anelectronic message based on the social relationship. For example, anelectronic message may not be displayed if the social relationshipbetween the message recipient and the message originator is not a singlesocial connection.

An example of the presenting system (300) presenting an electronicmessage (FIG. 2, 208) will now be given. The presenting system (300)receives, with a receiving engine (314-1), an electronic message (FIG.2, 208). The electronic message (FIG. 2, 208) indicates that the messageoriginator (FIG. 2, 204) is a second degree social connection (FIG. 1,103-1). The electronic message (FIG. 2, 208) indicates a messagerecipient (FIG. 1, 101). The electronic message (FIG. 2, 208) includes adigital stamp. The digital stamp is associated with a social networkhosted on a social network (FIG. 1, 111).

The presenting system (300) validates, with a validating engine (314-2),that the digital stamp is valid. The validating engine (314-2) contactsthe social network server (FIG. 1, 111) associated with the digitalstamp to validate the digital stamp. A validated digital stamp indicatesthat the electronic message and the message originator are authentic.The validating engine (314-2) may provide data to the social network(FIG. 1, 111) to allow the social network (FIG. 1, 111) to validate theelectronic message (FIG. 2, 208).

The presenting system (300) retrieves, with a retrieving engine (314-3),additional data associated with the electronic message (FIG. 2, 208).The text of the electronic message (FIG. 2, 208) is stored on the socialnetwork (FIG. 1, 111). The text is retrieved from the social network(FIG. 1, 111) and displayed as part of the electronic message (FIG. 2,208).

The presenting system (300) identifies, with an identifying engine(314-4), a social relationship (FIG. 2, 206) between the messagerecipient (FIG. 1, 101) and the second degree social connection user D(FIG. 1, 103-1). The social relationship (FIG. 2, 206) is the socialrelationship of the message originator (FIG. 1, 101) and a first degreesocial connection user A (FIG. 1, 102-1), and the social relationship ofthe first degree social connection user A (FIG. 1, 102-1) and a seconddegree social connection user D (FIG. 1, 103-1).

The presenting system (300) displays, with a displaying engine (314-5),the social relationship (FIG. 2, 206) with the electronic message (FIG.2, 208). The social relationship shows that the message recipient (FIG.1, 101) has a first degree social connection with user A (102-1). Thesocial relationship shows that user A (102-1) has a first degree socialconnection with user D (103-1).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of a method for presenting anelectronic message, according to one example of principles describedherein. The method (400) may be executed by the presenting system ofFIG. 1. The method (400) may be executed by other systems (i.e. system300 and system 700). The method (400) includes receiving (401) anelectronic message, the electronic message includes a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps,validating (402) each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with that digital stamp, when a digital stamp is validated,identifying (403) a social relationship between the message recipientand the message originator using the social network corresponding tothat digital stamp, and displaying (404), with the electronic message,an indication of the social relationship.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes receiving (401) anelectronic message, the electronic message includes a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps. Eachdigital stamp is associated with a social network. Each social networkmaybe supported by a number of social network servers.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes validating (402) eachdigital stamp by contacting the social network associated with thatdigital stamp. The system executing the method (400) is in contact witha number of social networks. The system contacts a social network tovalidate that the digital stamp was issued for that social network.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes when a digital stamp isvalidated, identifying (403) a social relationship between the messagerecipient and the message originator. The method (400) may identify theclosest social relationship between the message recipient and themessage originator.

As mentioned above, the method (400) includes displaying (404), with theelectronic message, an indication of the social relationship. Theindication of the social relationship may include a number of socialconnections connecting the message recipient and the message originator.Displaying (405) the indication of the social relationship may includedisplaying a summary of the social relationship. The summary may includea count of social relationships between the message recipient and themessage originator.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example of a method for presenting anelectronic message, according to one example of principles describedherein. The method (500) may be executed by the presenting system ofFIG. 1. The method (500) may be executed by other systems (i.e. system300 and system 700). The method (500) includes receiving (501) anelectronic message, the electronic message includes a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stampsvalidating (502) each digital stamp by contacting the social networkassociated with that digital stamp, retrieving (503), from a socialnetwork, based on a digital stamp, additional data associated with theelectronic message, when a digital stamp is validated, identifying (504)a social relationship between the message recipient and the messageoriginator using the social network corresponding to that digital stamp,and displaying (505), with the electronic message, an indication of thesocial relationship.

As mentioned above, the method (500) includes retrieving (503), from asocial network, based on a digital stamp, additional data associatedwith the electronic message. The electronic message includes anidentification of a message recipient, an identification of a messageoriginator, and a digital stamp. Additional data is retrieved (503) froma social network. The additional data may represent a portion of theactual electronic message from the message originator to the messagerecipient. The electronic message received may contain a portion of theactual message, with the remainder of the actual message being retrievedfrom the social network. The portion of the actual message that isretrieved may be transmitted over a secure protocol, preventingunauthorized access to the portion of the message that is retrieved.

FIG. 6 is an example of a method for sending and receiving an electronicmessage with a digital stamp, according to one example of principlesdescribed herein. The method (600) includes composing (601), for amessage originator, an electronic message using a message client,obtaining (602), via the message originator's message client, a digitalstamp from a social network, including (603), via the messageoriginator's message client, the digital stamp as part of the electronicmessage, sending (604), via the message originator's message client, theelectronic message, receiving (605), via the message recipient's messageclient, the electronic message, validating (606), via the messagerecipient's message client, the digital stamp, identifying (607), viathe message recipient's message client, a social relationship betweenthe message originator and the message recipient, and displaying (608),via the message recipient's message client, the electronic message andthe social relationship.

As mentioned above, the method (600) includes composing (601), for amessage originator, an electronic message using a message client. Themessage originator composes (601) an electronic message using a messageclient. The message client may be an email client, an instant messagingsystem, a digital voice system, a text message system, or similarsystems to send or receive electronic messages.

As mentioned above, the method includes obtaining (602), via the messageoriginator's message client, a digital stamp from a social network. Thedigital stamp may contain a digital signature, a hash, a uniqueidentification based on a combination of parts of the electronicmessage, or a combination thereof.

As mentioned above, the method (600) includes including (603), via themessage originator's message client, the digital stamp as part of theelectronic message. The message originator's message client associatesthe digital stamp with the electronic message. The message originator'smessage client may include the digital stamp as part of the electronicmessage by inserting the digital stamp in the electronic message, or byattaching a token to the electronic message.

As mentioned above, the method (600) includes sending (604), via themessage originator's message client, the electronic message. The messageoriginator's message client uses an electronic message communicationsystem to send the electronic message.

As mentioned above, the method includes receiving (605), via the messagerecipient's message client, the electronic message. The electronicmessage received may be an email, text message, digital voice recording,or a message in a similar electronic message passing protocol.

As mentioned above, the method (600) includes validating (606), via themessage recipient's message client, the digital stamp. The validationmay include contacting a social network server. The validation mayinclude applying a transformation to the digital stamp. In one example,a system using the method (600) may contact the social network with thedigital stamp. As part of validating (606) the digital stamp, the socialnetwork may return a version of the stamp that contains additional data,such as a security token to decrypt the electronic message. In anotherexample, the digital stamp may be in an initial format. By validating(606) the digital stamp the digital stamp is transformed into a secondformat for use in handling the electronic message.

As mentioned above, the method includes identifying (607), via themessage recipient's message client, a social relationship with themessage originator. The social relationship indicates degrees ofseparation between a message recipient and a message originator.

As mentioned above, the method includes displaying (608), via themessage recipient's message client, the electronic message and thesocial relationship. The displaying may display the social connectionwith the electronic message to inform the message recipient of therelationship with the message originator.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a presenting system (700),according to the principles described herein. In this example, thepresenting system (700) includes processing resources (702) that are incommunication with memory resources (704). Processing resources (702)include at least one processor and other resources used to processprogrammed instructions. The memory resources (704) generally representany memory capable of storing data, such as programmed instructions ordata structures used by the presenting system (700). The programmedinstructions shown stored in the memory resources (704) include anelectronic message receiver (706), a digital stamp validator (708), anadditional data retriever (710), a social relationship identifier (712),and an electronic message displayer (714).

The memory resources (704) include a computer readable storage mediumthat contains computer readable program code to cause tasks to beexecuted by the processing resources (702). The computer readablestorage medium may be a tangible and/or physical storage medium. Thecomputer readable storage medium may be any appropriate storage mediumthat is not a transmission storage medium. A non-exhaustive list ofcomputer readable storage medium types includes non-volatile memory,volatile memory, random access memory, write only memory, flash memory,electrically erasable program read only memory, other types of memory,or combinations thereof.

The electronic message receiver (706) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resource (702) to receive anelectronic message, the electronic message including a digital stamp.The digital stamp validator (708) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resource (702) to validate thedigital stamp.

The additional data retriever (710) represents programmed instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processing resource (702) to retrieveadditional data associated with the electronic message based on thedigital stamp. The social network identifier (712) represents programmedinstructions that, when executed, cause the processing resource (702) toidentify a social relationship between a message recipient and a messageoriginator. The electronic message displayer (714) represents programmedinstructions that, when executed, cause the processing resource (702) todisplay an indication of the social relationship with the electronicmessage.

Further, the memory resources (704) may be part of an installationpackage. In response to installing the installation package, theinstructions of the memory resources (704) may be downloaded from theinstallation package's source, such as a portable medium, a server, aremote network location, another location, or combinations thereof.Portable memory media that are compatible with the principles describedherein include DVDs, CDs, flash memory, portable disks, magnetic disks,optical disks, other forms of portable memory, or combinations thereof.In other examples, the program instructions are already installed. Here,the memory resources can include integrated memory such as a hard drive,a solid state hard drive, or the like.

In some examples, the processing resources (702) and the memoryresources (704) are located within the same physical component, such asa server or a network component. The memory resources (704) may be partof the physical component's main memory, caches, registers, non-volatilememory, or elsewhere in the physical component's memory hierarchy.Alternatively, the memory resources (704) may be in communication withthe processing resources (702) over a network. Further, the datastructures, such as the libraries, may be accessed from a remotelocation over a network connection while the programmed instructions arelocated locally. Thus, the presenting system (700) may be implemented ona user device, on a server, on a collection of servers, or combinationsthereof.

The presenting system (700) of FIG. 7 may be part of a general purposecomputer. However, in alternative examples, the presenting system (700)is part of an application specific integrated circuit.

The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describeexamples of the principles described. This description is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operations of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products. In this regard, eachblock in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module,segment, or portion of code, which has a number of executableinstructions for implementing the specific logical function(s). Itshould also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in thefigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart illustration and combination of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for presenting an electronic message,the method comprising: receiving an electronic message, the electronicmessage comprising a message originator, a message recipient, and anumber of digital stamps wherein each of the number of digital stamps isassociated with a social network; validating each digital stamp bycontacting the social network associated with that digital stamp; when adigital stamp is validated, identifying a social relationship betweenthe message recipient and the message originator using the socialnetwork corresponding to that digital stamp; and displaying, with theelectronic message, an indication of the social relationship.
 2. Themethod if claim 1, further comprising retrieving from the socialnetwork, based on a digital stamp, additional data associated with theelectronic message.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying, withthe electronic message, the indication of the social relationshipcomprises displaying a number of social connections connecting themessage recipient and the message originator.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein displaying, with the electronic message, the indication of thesocial relationship comprises displaying a summary of the socialrelationship.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital stamp isused to validate contents of the electronic message.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the digital stamp is used to validate an identity ofthe message originator.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the digitalstamp includes a time indicator, the time indicator indicating an amountof time the digital stamp is valid.
 8. A system for presenting anelectronic message, the system comprising: a processor; memorycommunicatively connected to the processor; and a presenting system, thepresenting system comprising: a receiving engine to receive anelectronic message, the electronic message comprising a messageoriginator, a message recipient, and a number of digital stamps whereineach of the number of digital stamps is associated with a socialnetwork; a validating engine to validate each digital stamp bycontacting the social network associated with each digital stamp; aretrieving engine to retrieve from the social network, based on adigital stamp, additional data associated with the electronic message;an identifying engine to identify, when the digital stamp is validated,a social relationship between the message recipient and the messageoriginator using the social network corresponding to that digital stamp;and a displaying engine, to display, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship.
 9. The system of claim 8, whereinthe digital stamp includes protections to limit the number of times thedigital stamp may be referenced.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein thedigital time stamp identifies an application that produced theelectronic message.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the digital stampcomprises a digital signature, a hash, an identification based on thecombination of the message originator and the electronic message, or acombination thereof.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the displayingengine further comprises filtering the presentation of a message basedon the social relationship.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein thesocial relationship is a social relationship within the social network.14. The system of claim 8, wherein the electronic message includes anumber of authentication measures.
 15. A computer program product forpresenting an electronic message, the computer program productcomprising a machine-readable storage medium having program instructionsembodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processorto cause the processor to: receive an electronic message, the electronicmessage comprising a message originator, a message recipient, and anumber of digital stamps wherein each of the number of digital stamps isassociated with a social network; validate each digital stamp bycontacting the social network associated with each digital stamp;retrieve from a social network, based on a digital stamp, additionaldata associated with the electronic message; identify, when the digitalstamp is validated, a social relationship between the message recipientand the message originator using the social network corresponding tothat digital stamp; and display, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship.
 16. The product of claim 15,wherein displaying, with the electronic message, an indication of thesocial relationship comprises displaying a number of social connectionsconnecting the message recipient and the message originator.
 17. Theproduct of claim 15, wherein displaying, with the electronic message, anindication of the social relationship comprises displaying a summary ofthe social relationship.
 18. The product of claim 15, whereindisplaying, with the electronic message, an indication of the socialrelationship further comprises filtering the presentation of a messagebased on the social relationship.
 19. The system of claim 15, whereinthe social relationship comprises interpersonal relationships, commoninterests, common employment, and common attributes.
 20. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the social relationship comprises relationships acrossa number of social networks.